Berlin, October 7 (RHC)--The president of soccer's international governing body, Sepp Blatter, has been provisionally suspended for 90 days.  The decision was reportedly made during a meeting between members of the Ethics Committee of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on Wednesday.

Blatter's former adviser, Klauss Stohlker, said the news had been communicated to the 79-year-old Swiss, saying the verdict is yet to be finalized.  “This is provisional for 90 days but he is not actually suspended. The committee has not yet made a decision and their meetings continue,” Stohlker said.  He, however, described the ruling as “pending,” meaning that almost no evidence has been found against Blatter in the committee’s investigations.

German Judge Hans Joachim Eckert, who serves as the chairman of the Ethics Committee’s adjudicatory chamber, should confirm the ruling on Thursday.                

Blatter, who has been heading FIFA since 1998 is at the heart of a big corruption scandal that has marred the image of the world football governing body.  He announced his resignation as FIFA chief in June weeks after Swiss and US prosecutors launched separate investigations into claims of mismanagement and corruption in the body.

In the latest development, four major business sponsors of FIFA have urged Blatter to immediately give up the post. Blatter defended his decision to remain as the FIFA chief, saying he will not step down immediately.

Blatter also hit back at a recent decision by Swiss authorities for launching criminal proceedings against him, calling the move “outrageous.”